Beyond architecture

Playing cards

Due to a universal set of skills architects practice in many countries. Projects by ‘foreign’ architects in all parts of the world show that architecture today is a truly global profession. Nevertheless architecture emerges within a unique tension of influential forces that are not global at all. They relate to a certain time and place – say: Holland, a country and society with a specific Dutch character. Here, a particular territory, thought, network and use of materials are influential to the architect. Might the choice of how to deal with this context be rejection or absorption: Architecture designed in Holland – and thanks to heavy publicity also beyond the Dutch borders – relates to this context in one way or another.

Designing architecture is questioning relations from scratch, again and again, like an amateur. But trying to answer questions with other than known answers is a tricky thing. The considerations within the ritual of designing are propelled by many abstract sets of thoughts, one of which is like a set of cards to play with. And in your deck of cards today there are always some from Holland; in this set of cards there are some of ours. It is up to the players, if they play the Dutch ace again first. Depending on how well you know the game, your design might be considered architecture, or not; as long as you play your cards right.